News Moscow to host talks to resolve gas standoff MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) - The premiers of Slovakia, Moldova and Bulgaria met with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to try and find a resolution to the gas dispute and Ukraine's refusal to transit Russain gas to Europe, which Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said had cost Gazprom $1.2 billion in lost revenue.

News Russian president hands out orders of parental glory The Moscow News On Tuesday Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for the first time handed out the decorations of the freshly introduced Order of Parental Glory - Russia's state award to parents with many children.

News In Brief - Russia voices concern over Gaza violence Russia voices concern over Gaza violence, Georgia, Switzerland sign deal on Tbilisi representation in Russia, Fire during construction of Moscow garage kills 7, Putin's oil painting to be sold for charity

News Latvia quells anti-government riots in Riga RIGA (AP) - Latvia's government and opposition politicians blamed each other Wednesday for rioting in the capital that left more than 40 people injured in the worst violence since the country split from the Soviet Union in 1991.

News WWF seeks probe into Altai helicopter crash By Anna Arutunyan Environmentalists are demanding an explanation from law enforcement after photographs of a fatal helicopter crash in the Altai region suggested that the passengers were hunting argali - an endangered wild sheep - from the air.

News Crime Briefs - Robbers kill two guards, steal tires worth $6,000 in Moscow Robbers kill two guards, steal tires worth $6,000 in Moscow, Police officer killed in southern Russia, Woman stabs friend to death over soccer dispute, Ukrainian girl's hair stolen

Local Having a ball on the ice By Anna Laletina Winter has come at last, and it's tempting to hide indoors and avoid the perils of maneuvering along Moscow's slippery streets.

Local Community calendar - Escape Hatch 7 Escape Hatch 7, Book a spot, Research project, Parents' guide to Moscow

Local End of ads outside the Kremlin MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) - Mos­cow's streetscape is set to change this year as the city government takes steps to protect the historic sites of the historic center.

Local Briefs - Roads getting safer Roads getting safer, 6,000 drivers parked in prison, Watch your step! Dissent planned for end of month, Mayor plans second metro network

Local Mean Streets By Daria Chernyshova From the drunk sprawled in a corner of the metro carriage, to the beggars working the underpasses, Moscow’s homeless and destiture are easy enough to find. For those of us fortunate enough to have a comfortable place to live, it’s almost impossible to imagine life without a ‘home, sweet home.’ But for those living life on the streets, this can seem like an incredible dream

National This week in russian history...16 – 22 January 2009

Local The ghosts of Lenin abound By Andy Potts His gleaming pate and goatee may have lacked the charisma of revolutionary poster boy Che Gue­vara, but that didn't stop Lenin's familiar featuresfrom dominating the Soviet streetscape.

Columnists Once not enough By Daria Chernyshova The 10-day New Year vacation from the government is over, and Russia is reluctantly, slowly returning to work. But just because the official holiday calendar says the holidays are over, doesn’t necessarily mean the party has to stop…

Local Enlighten yourself Celebrate the New Year with a historical tour By Phoebe Taplin The short winter days are perfect for exploring Moscow's numerous museums.